Bio: I am a 29-year-old high school math teacher at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, PA. I teach Algebra 2 and Math Applications & Concepts, which is a senior-only course that focuses on topics that will benefit students in the real world. In previous years, I taught AP Statistics, Geometry, and Basic Algebra. I also coach baseball and plan/run Graduation at the High School. I live in Havre de Grace, MD with my wife Ali, and I am originally from Downingtown, PA. I enjoy the outdoors (hiking, kayaking, fishing) and playing/watching all types of sports!
Learning Task #1 (submitted through email)
Learning Task #2
What is Web 2.0? Web 2.0 refers to the "new" internet in which users collaborate and share information and ideas. The original internet (a.k.a. Web 1.0) consisted of so-called "static" websites that could be accessed for information, but didn't go far beyond this. Now, websites are much more interactive and promote socialization/sharing of information between internet users.
#8. Stick or Switch: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_117_g_4_t_2.html. Demonstrates conditional probabilities of winning after being shown a losing door. Very interesting problem in probability that would be great for students to see! S.CP.3
Video 1: Vi Hart: Doodling in Math. This video is by Vi Hart and it explains various "spiral" patterns in nature. The video goes on to explain how the Fibonacci sequence works and shows up in nature. This is a great attention-getter to pique student interest in mathematical patterns, which would be a great start to a lesson on the Fibonacci sequence.
Video #2: How does math guide ships at sea?. This is a cool video explaining how ships used mathematics way back when to determine location and direction. The video explains why logarithms were developed and how they were used for different calculations. I would use this for a lesson on logarithms and their application to problems such as the ships at sea.
Video #3: Why do bees love honeycomb?. I love this video that I stumbled upon! This video discusses how bees use hexagons in the design of their hives. It would be an awesome attention-grabber for a lesson on the hexagon, whether it be angles, area, etc.
Both sites are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing these with us. I like that both sites are aligned with the Common Core and are very organized with relation to that. Both sites are easy to navigate and the instructional videos are clear and well-presented. I like the Khan Academy better, as it is interactive and has questions for students to answer to help build towards mastery. The tracking of student progress when answering questions is also phenomenal. I did not realize that it was so comprehensive and interactive - I always just assumed it was a collection of videos about different subjects. I can't wait to use Khan Academy with my students!
Learning Task #8
Educreations Videos
I used my MacBook mouse pad to do all of the writing, so please forgive me if it looks like a 5th grader wrote it! Also, the audio recorded in a way that I sound like I have a lisp. Otherwise, I think they turned out well. :-)
How have your thoughts about technology/web 2.0 changed or have been validated through the course?
I have always found technology to be exciting and interesting, but honestly I have not really taken the time to incorporate it nearly as much as I could. This course has opened my eyes to the wide variety of web 2.0 tools available, and how these tools can be utilized within the classroom.
What did you like about the course?
I loved everything about this course! As I mentioned, this class offered insight on such a wide variety of tools that I now have a plethora to work with, and I can actually feel confident about using these technologies in my classroom, rather than feeling "up the creek without a paddle."
What should be done differently (it's ok to be critical... I can take it)?
Not sure there is a lot that should be done differently. Perhaps more interaction with fellow students. I know that as an online course, we are all working on our own with each technology, and most of the technologies (from a teacher standpoint) are set up independently. It was cool seeing other people's responses when we used Today's Meet in the beginning, but I think it would be good to utilize more technologies where we actually interact, so that perhaps we can see it more from the student perspective.
How will your experiences in the course impact your teaching next year (or in the future)?
My teaching will definitely be enhanced by making use of these technologies. More importantly, I hope my students' learning is enhanced. I hope to modify and redefine (from the SAMR model...) my lessons by utilizing the web 2.0 tools that we have used during the course. I also hope to mentor fellow teachers and get them to use these technologies, since I know the majority of them don't know what is out there!
Bio: I am a 29-year-old high school math teacher at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, PA. I teach Algebra 2 and Math Applications & Concepts, which is a senior-only course that focuses on topics that will benefit students in the real world. In previous years, I taught AP Statistics, Geometry, and Basic Algebra. I also coach baseball and plan/run Graduation at the High School. I live in Havre de Grace, MD with my wife Ali, and I am originally from Downingtown, PA. I enjoy the outdoors (hiking, kayaking, fishing) and playing/watching all types of sports!
Learning Task #1 (submitted through email)
Learning Task #2
What is Web 2.0? Web 2.0 refers to the "new" internet in which users collaborate and share information and ideas. The original internet (a.k.a. Web 1.0) consisted of so-called "static" websites that could be accessed for information, but didn't go far beyond this. Now, websites are much more interactive and promote socialization/sharing of information between internet users.
Today's Meet link: https://todaysmeet.com/MrPrescott
KidBlog link: http://kidblog.org/MrPrescottsClass-2/
Learning Task #3
Glogster page: Properties of Logarithms
http://rprescott3.edu.glogster.com/log-properties
Prezi: Solving Two-Step Equations
http://prezi.com/7rs3nh0y1wd8/solving-a-three-step-equation/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Learning Task #4
Top Ten Manipulatives
#10. Function Matching: http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3520. Can be used for students to explore how graphs and equations match up with each other. F.IF.7
#9. Algebra Tiles: http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3482. Great visualization for how students factor expressions. 7.EE.1
#8. Stick or Switch: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_117_g_4_t_2.html. Demonstrates conditional probabilities of winning after being shown a losing door. Very interesting problem in probability that would be great for students to see! S.CP.3
#7. Right Triangle Solver: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_335_g_4_t_3.html. Can be used to help students practice using the Pythagorean Theorem and SOHCAHTOA. G.SRT.8
#6. Transformations - Dilations: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_296_g_4_t_3.html. Students can experiment with dilating geometric figures to see how they change. G.SRT.1
#5. Box Plot/Histogram: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_200_g_4_t_5.html. Nice way to create box plots and histograms for a set of data. Even better to compare the two types of plots! S.ID.1
#4. Function Machine: http://www.mathplayground.com/functionmachine.html. Students can use the function machine to develop a linear equation that fits the given data. A.CED.1
#3. System Solver: http://seeingmath.concord.org/dev_applets/publish/resource_files/SystemSolver.html. Nice way to visualize a system of equations graphically. Could help students compare the graphical and algebraic ways of solving a system. A.REI.5&6
#2. Piecewise Linear Grapher: http://seeingmath.concord.org/dev_applets/publish/resource_files/Piecewise.html. Students can see how piecewise linear functions work, especially with restricting the domain for each piece. F.IF.7b
(In honor of Letterman...drumroll please) "And the #1 virtual math manipulative is......."
#1. Spinners: http://www.mhhe.com/math/ltbmath/bennett_nelson8e/VMK.html?initManip=spinners. Great for use with calculating compound probabilities. Students can use the spinners to simulate trials. S.CP.8
Learning Task #5
Edutopia and Discovery Quiz reflections are posted on my Kidblog page.
Student Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zjV5sjKK5zi-m_igrtqas-fOWvnvrf_ijc0wL5YEAyY/viewform
Parent Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cZL44Luj82MrejV4BPdyk3EbyTfPpdalAk3HIbWQUE8/viewform
Learning Task #6
Text 2 Mind Map: Quadratic Functions Text 2 Mind Map
Padlet: Probability Padlet Password: prescott
Popplet: Systems of Equations
Learning Task #7
Video 1: Vi Hart: Doodling in Math. This video is by Vi Hart and it explains various "spiral" patterns in nature. The video goes on to explain how the Fibonacci sequence works and shows up in nature. This is a great attention-getter to pique student interest in mathematical patterns, which would be a great start to a lesson on the Fibonacci sequence.
Video #2: How does math guide ships at sea?. This is a cool video explaining how ships used mathematics way back when to determine location and direction. The video explains why logarithms were developed and how they were used for different calculations. I would use this for a lesson on logarithms and their application to problems such as the ships at sea.
Video #3: Why do bees love honeycomb?. I love this video that I stumbled upon! This video discusses how bees use hexagons in the design of their hives. It would be an awesome attention-grabber for a lesson on the hexagon, whether it be angles, area, etc.
Learnzillion lessons:
1. Points of intersection vs. Solving a system
2. Unit Circle lesson
Khan Academy lessons:
1. Domain of a function
2. Unit circle
Both sites are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing these with us. I like that both sites are aligned with the Common Core and are very organized with relation to that. Both sites are easy to navigate and the instructional videos are clear and well-presented. I like the Khan Academy better, as it is interactive and has questions for students to answer to help build towards mastery. The tracking of student progress when answering questions is also phenomenal. I did not realize that it was so comprehensive and interactive - I always just assumed it was a collection of videos about different subjects. I can't wait to use Khan Academy with my students!
Learning Task #8
Educreations Videos
I used my MacBook mouse pad to do all of the writing, so please forgive me if it looks like a 5th grader wrote it! Also, the audio recorded in a way that I sound like I have a lisp. Otherwise, I think they turned out well. :-)
How to Factor Quadratic Expressions:
http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/factoring-quadratic-expressions/22970192/
Introduction to Trig Functions:
http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/intro-to-trig-functions/22975063/
Learning Task #9
Rubistar Rubric (Excel format):
Poll Everywhere polls:
Favorite Subject
Which picture describes you in class?
Typical grades
Testmoz Quiz:
Taxes Quiz
Learning Task #10
"15 Technologies That Were Supposed To Change Education Forever" Reflection
http://kidblog.org/MrPrescottsClass-2/255a5e98-02e2-4892-8918-c1fde0f0809d/lt-10-15-technologies/
Reminder that the password is "prescott" :-)
Mobile Apps Project
PowerPoint:
Web 2.0 Project: Edmodo
PowerPoint:
Course Reflection
How have your thoughts about technology/web 2.0 changed or have been validated through the course?
I have always found technology to be exciting and interesting, but honestly I have not really taken the time to incorporate it nearly as much as I could. This course has opened my eyes to the wide variety of web 2.0 tools available, and how these tools can be utilized within the classroom.
What did you like about the course?
I loved everything about this course! As I mentioned, this class offered insight on such a wide variety of tools that I now have a plethora to work with, and I can actually feel confident about using these technologies in my classroom, rather than feeling "up the creek without a paddle."
What should be done differently (it's ok to be critical... I can take it)?
Not sure there is a lot that should be done differently. Perhaps more interaction with fellow students. I know that as an online course, we are all working on our own with each technology, and most of the technologies (from a teacher standpoint) are set up independently. It was cool seeing other people's responses when we used Today's Meet in the beginning, but I think it would be good to utilize more technologies where we actually interact, so that perhaps we can see it more from the student perspective.
How will your experiences in the course impact your teaching next year (or in the future)?
My teaching will definitely be enhanced by making use of these technologies. More importantly, I hope my students' learning is enhanced. I hope to modify and redefine (from the SAMR model...) my lessons by utilizing the web 2.0 tools that we have used during the course. I also hope to mentor fellow teachers and get them to use these technologies, since I know the majority of them don't know what is out there!
Thank you for everything Professor SanGiovanni!